Caring for kids in foster care is a part of Lizzie Allen’s family heritage. Lizzie’s grandmother, Marguerite “Peggy” Terbrack, always wanted 12 kids but only had nine. So, she and her husband decided to become foster parents in 1973. She continued fostering for two decades after her husband died in 1987, and only stopped fostering… Read more »
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From Russia with Love: Baylor student advocates for foster children
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) all have their own story about how they became advocates. Not all of them start in Russia. Sasha Messer is a senior psychology major at Baylor University, but when she was 4 years old, she and her brother were adopted from Russia. She grew up in Dallas and says it… Read more »
Not Home for Christmas –The Holiday Experience for Children In Foster Care
For many, the holidays are a time of tradition, new memories sprinkled among old memories, and the comfort and certainty of family. As we all know, 2020 and COVID-19 have thrown the holidays for a loop this year! We are scrambling to alter or cancel plans for safety, figure out new ways to carry out… Read more »
Foster Care to Adoption: Our family’s story is unique and precious
November is National Adoption Month. CASA volunteers stay by a child’s side throughout the case, advocating first for reunification with the child’s parent(s) when safe and possible. If reunification is not safe or possible, CASA volunteers will advocate for the child to be adopted by, or live with, other relatives or family friends. If that… Read more »
The Invisible Struggle of Kids in Crisis
Any given day in McLennan County around 700 children are in foster care. Out of those, CASA has an advocate working with around 240 of them. CASA stands for “Court Appointed Special Advocate.” The court assigns CASAs to advocate for the best interest of the child or children in CPS cases. Putting Yourself In Their… Read more »
Volunteer Spotlight – Anthony Green
Anthony Green’s CASA Supervisor says “Anthony is incredibly dedicated to help his four CASA siblings (elementary age to teenagers) secure a safe and permanent home all together with a family member. Anthony goes above and beyond in encouraging the caregivers’ strengths, as well as finding solutions to their needs, and this shows how much he… Read more »
Volunteer Spotlight – Molly Winn
Molly Winn, our CASA volunteer spotlight for August 2018, has gone above and beyond to change the life of a foster youth. Self described as under-qualified and extremely qualified at the same time, her CASA Supervisor notes that she loves big and gives big and she is really committed to making sure her CASA child’s… Read more »
Volunteer Spotlight – Melissa Urteaga
Melissa Urteaga is a true go-getter. When she is not busy interning for CASA, she also holds down a full time job with the City of Waco and stays active in her daughter’s life – in 15 years of softball for her daughter, Melissa has NEVER missed a game! She is a joy to have in the… Read more »
Volunteer Spotlight – Cindy McAtee
A busy wife, mom and grandmother of 4, Cindy McAtee will celebrate her 13th year as a CASA Volunteer on June 14th. Cindy is deeply devoted to her work as a CASA volunteer. Having worked 6 cases during her time at CASA, and pushing through some very difficult case scenarios, her CASA supervisor notes: “I… Read more »
Volunteer Spotlight: The Dynamic Duo of Paula and Ramona
If you’ve been involved with CASA of McLennan County at any point during these last several years, chances are that you have, at some point, crossed paths with Ramona Cooper and Paula Hayward. The two, who are affectionately referred to as the “Dynamic Duo” by the CASA staff, aren’t shy about sharing their passion for… Read more »